American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) Practice Exam 2026 – The Complete All-in-One Guide to Exam Success

The symptom of sudden color blindness is not typically associated with the presence of floaters in the visual field. Floaters are small, shadowy shapes that are seen in the field of vision, often resembling dots, strands, or spider webs. They are usually caused by age-related changes in the vitreous humor of the eye or other factors such as inflammation or retinal tears.

Visual disturbances, flashes of light, and translucent specks in vision are common phenomena related to floaters. Visual disturbances can encompass a variety of visual phenomena, including the appearance of floaters themselves. Flashes of light, or photopsia, can occur when the vitreous pulls on the retina, often accompanying floaters. Translucent specks in vision are essentially the floaters that one experiences.

In contrast, sudden color blindness typically indicates a more serious condition, such as retinal detachment or significant damage to the optic nerve, rather than the benign presence of floaters. Understanding these distinctions is important for recognizing when to seek further evaluation for potential serious eye conditions.